WineGB and our industry benefits hugely from a collaborative and coordinated approach. There are a great many people involved in WineGB activity beyond the executive team and the board, whether that be in the working groups or regional associations. If you would like to contribute to the success of our industry and WineGB, we are always keen to hear from you. Whether that is by joining one of the working groups or contributing to a particular project please do contact us.

Working Groups

Sitting alongside the WineGB Executive Team is a collection of groups with expertise in specific areas of our industry.  The purpose of these groups is to advise the Board and Exec team on policy and the latest industry developments.  The groups are also responsible for generating content for webinars and conferences, as well as driving the industry forward and ensuring we are up to date with the latest innovations.

Viticulture

Chair: Matt Strugnell (Ridgeview)

Key activity:  Vine Imports, Green Book, PPP advice, practical advice and guidance, webinar and conference programme, vintage reports.

Winemaking Technical

Chair: Nick Blampied-Lane (Defined Wine)

Key activity: Winery best practice, latest innovations, quality guidance, webinar and conference programme, workshops.

Sustainability Council

Council Chair: Nicola Bates (WineGB)
Chair of Sustainable Viticulture: Alex Valsecchi (Albury Organic Vineyard)
Co-Chairs of Sustainable Winemaking: Sarah Midgley (Plumpton College) and Simon Roberts (Ridgeview)
Chair of Sustainable People: Vacant

Key activity: SWGB Scheme administration and education, newsletters, webinars, workshops, accreditation, promotion.

Research and Development

Chair: Alistair Nesbitt (Vinescapes)

Key activity: Coordination of research topics and research library. Linking all industry research projects.

Conducted region-wide research and identified key priorities for research:

> Supply chain and product assurance
> Consumer, product distinctiveness and reputation
> Production sector, capability and capacity
> Production sector, profitability, adaptability and resilience

Tourism

Chair: Nicola Bates (WineGB)

Key activity: Showcasing best practice, providing insights and examples to help build wine tourism and DTC sales. Establishing and maintaining links to VisitBritain and travel industry.

Sales and Marketing

Chair: Gary Smith (MDCV)

Key activity: WineGB events and PR strategy, campaigns like English Wine Week, brand guidelines.

Export Council

Chair: Chris Unger (Hattingley Valley)

Key activity: Coordinating a programme of collective activity for key markets; links to DIT, FCDO teams.

Education and Training

Chair: Jeremy Kerswell (Plumpton College)

Key activity:  Main interface between WineGB and Plumpton, working to build long-term capabilities for our sector.

Political Engagement

Chair: Nicola Bates (WineGB)

Key activity: Working with APPG and government departments to ensure our industry’s voice is heard on key matters such as labour, Excise Duty and legislation.